Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair & Maintenance Commission

The Southwest Chief Commission is no longer active. The last meeting was held on April 6, 2017.

  • House Bill 14-1161
  • Southwest Chief Meeting Minutes & Information
  • Cambridge Ridership Analysis
  • Cambridge Economic Impact Analysis
  • NMDOT BNSF Property Tax Analysis
  • Wilson & Company Maintenance Study
  • Southwest Chief Interim Legislative Subcommittee

The Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission coordinated and oversaw efforts by state and local governments to continue and expand Amtrak Southwest Chief Rail Line service in the state.

Voting members included:

  • Richard Guy Klein of La Junta—representing Las Animas, Otero, or Prowers County—publicly advocated for public rail. He was appointed for a term that expired on Sept. 1, 2016.
  • James Martin Souby of Denver—representing the Colorado tourism industry—was appointed for a term that expired on Sept. 1, 2016.
  • Peter James Rickershauser of Denver—representing the freight rail industry—was appointed for a term that expired on Sept. 1, 2016.
  • Elena Wilken of Denver—a public rail transportation advocate—was appointed for a term that expired on Sept. 1, 2017.
  • Salvatore Pace of Pueblo—representing Pueblo and Huerfano County—publicly advocated for public rail, and was appointed for a term that expired on Sept. 1, 2017.

Non-voting members included:

  • Mark Imhoff served as a representative of CDOT.
  • Ray Lang served as representative of Amtrak.